Stroke recovery care 'failing' patients

A lack of post-hospital care means stroke survivors are not making the best recovery possible, according to a new report.

More than a third of survivors (38 per cent) surveyed had not been assessed on their health and care needs to help them with their recovery, a study by the Stroke Association found.

More than half (53 per cent) of people who had suffered a stroke in the last three years had been assessed only once.

Around 150,000 people have a stroke in the UK every year and more than one million people in the UK are living with the effects of stroke.

Without assessments, patients are missing out on services that are essential to them making the fullest possible recovery, the charity said.

Just under four out of 10 (38 per cent) of those who had received an assessment had been given a care plan outlining the services and treatments that would be put in place to help them get better, the study of more than 2,200 survivors and carers found.

Jon Barrick, chief executive at the Stroke Association, said: “More people than ever are surviving a stroke and that’s a welcome improvement.

“But many stroke survivors tell us that after all the effort to save their lives they then feel abandoned when they return home.

“The NHS and local authorities are failing in their responsibilities to provide appropriate and timely support to stroke survivors and their families; and the growing evidence of cuts for people currently getting services is very worrying.”

David Rogers, chair of the Local Government Association’s community wellbeing board, said: “Councils know that the need for top quality care doesn’t end when a stroke patient leaves hospital and this research once more highlights the urgent need to examine how we provide care and support to our most vulnerable residents.

“The importance of greater integration of health and social care services around the individual cannot be underestimated. But integration will only be successful if it comes hand in hand with fundamental reform and appropriate funding.”